Crestwood Alternative High School will relocate next fall, leaving its current downtown location and moving into the Heritage Events Center.
    Howard-Winneshiek Community School District Superintendent Brian Ney said moving the school away from downtown was the primary motive behind the decision to relocate the school.
    “They should not be in a business district,” he said.
    The Alternative School will utilize three classrooms located inside Heritage Events center. The gym located on the property will also be available to students if the school wishes to offer physical education.
    The Howard-Winneshiek School Board approved an agreement with Dave Daley, owner of Heritage Events Center, at their regular meeting April 28 to move the Alternative School to the events center.
    The Board also approved an agreement allowing the district to continue leasing the Heritage gymnasium next school year. The agreement states that Howard-Winneshiek will reimburse Daley for property tax and utilities.
    Crestwood Alternative High School students will start taking classes at the new location at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year.

Other Business:
    The School Board discussed textbooks needed for the 2008-09 school year, including textbooks for a new world history class that will be mandatory for all ninth graders beginning next fall.
    Previously, eighth, ninth and tenth graders were required to take U.S. History courses. Starting with next years incoming freshman class, ninth graders will be required to take World History. Eighth and tenth graders will continue to take U.S. History.
    The Board also approved an asbestos removal contract with Environmental Management Services of Iowa, Inc. to safely remove contained asbestos in the Crestwood High School mechanical room and the Ridgeway Elementary School boiler and locker rooms.
    Ney said the asbestos is contained, undisturbed and harmless. The substance will be removed this summer.
    The Board changed their May 26 regular Board meeting date to May 19 to not conflict with Memorial Day.